DILI, 28 may 2022 (TATOLI)- Timor-Leste’s State Secretariat for Youth and Sports (SEJD) awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to four athletes who managed to bring home five medals from the 2021 SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) in Vietnam.
The Secretary of State of the SEJD, Abrão Saldanha explained that the appreciation prizes are given by the Government to athletes as a result of a joint decision from the commissions, confederations, and representatives of athletes and coaches.
“Unlike usual, this year SEJD gives two appreciation prizes in two versions of prizes, starting from excellence and educational scholarships. Previously, the government just provided an excellence prize. Thus, this year period the government also included encouragement prizes for the athlete. It aims to encourage them to build well performance and achievements for the next competition,” said Abrão Saldanha said this Friday.
According to Saldanha, an athlete’s career is only a temporary period. The Government has a responsibility to provide more guarantees for their future. The scholarship for education is a great initiative to ensure they can achieve a bright future.
It was stated that the 4 athletes who gained 5 medals from the SEA Games consisted of three different sports, such as athletics (running), boxing (boxing), and taekwondo.
Athlete, Felisbertu de Deus won two (2) silver medals in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters distance running, receiving a total prize of $15,000 consisting of a $10,000 excellence prize and a $5,000 scholarship.
Likewise Boxing Athlete, Delio Mozinho won one (1) silver medal getting a prize of $7,500 of which $5,000 for excellence and $2.5000 for the scholarship. As for the two athletes who won bronze medals, José da Silva, Boxing Athlete, and Santina S. Fernandes, Taekwondo Athlete each received a prize of $4,500 ($3,000 excellence prize and $1,500 scholarship).
On this occasion, SEJD also awarded the coaches or technical teams and clubs of the three sports which were $5,000 in Athletics, $4,000 in Boxing, and $1,500 in Taekwondo.
After receiving the prize, the Athlete, Felisbertu de Deus expressed his gratitude to the Government led by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak for appreciating their struggles and achievements during the 2021 SEA Games.
“The gifts I have received will be used for my future and training every day,” explains Felisbertu de Deus. Likewise, Boxing Athlete Delio Mozinho thanked SEJD and promised to work harder to give better results in the next SEA Games, because the Government plans to improve the quality of the athletes by training in Cuba and the Philippines.
“I don’t want to promise a gold medal but I will work harder. I ask the government not only to give gifts but to provide a more suitable training place for us,” he said.
According to SEJD data, 38 athletes representing Timor-Leste are participating in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, consisting of 25 athletes in football and 13 in Taekwondo, Boxing, Swimming, Martial Arts, Weightlifting, and Athletics.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges
